The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MICHAEL sTRoGoFF.

MICHAEL STRoGoFF.
Michael Strogoff is probably the strongest
spectacular play, taking the dramatic story
and its opportunities for fine acting as well
as for spectacular effects, on the stage, and
1t has received remarkably fine presenta-
ton in Portland in times past. The company
now at Portland Theatre is very well adapt
ed to present the drama in the towns where
the public rarely see spectacular play
Mile. Ferrand forms the ballet of one, there
are six or seven more or less attractive
young women who execute few simple
marches, man who does some fairly good
wire walking, and there are one or two paint
ed curtains for scenic effect. The best fea-
lures of the entertainment are the acting of
Mr.. j. p. Clark as Michael Miss Pollock as
Nadir, Miss Douglass as Maria Str0g0tf, and
the live donkey.
GoRMAN's MINsTRELs.
The large number of attractions in the
city last evening and the unpleasant weather
deprived one Of the best minstrel companies
that has for a long time visited Portland of
an audience of just proportions. Yet
perhaps thousand people were present.
The management of Mr.. Fred E. Wright
wins praise throughout the entire pro-
b
was nothing old-new songs, new jokes, new
scenery, new costumes and new features,
each and all aided in making the entertain
ment enjoyable.
The grand opening transformation scene
was received with great applause, and the
change of end men brought another volley
of wit and merriment. The men have good
this came the dancing musketeers-a de-
cidedly novel affair, introducing combina-
ton of military drill and clog dancing, which
is exceedingly brilliant and artistic.
The grand finale, under the title of 1.-THE
Golden Ball, =" with the King of Siam and his
retinue, besides ludicrous representatives of
various other nationalities, makes an agree
able close. The Siamese. twins and the
sacred white elephant are two of the number
of taking novelties. Another performance
will be given tonight.
BIJoU OPERA HOUSE.
The Wilkinson Opera Company gave Fra
Diavolo to not so large an audience as they
should have had last evening, but those who
were present were much pleased. The opera
will be repeated tonight.
HUNTERS ON THE STAGE.
"a Run Of Luck" was produced at Boston
Theatre last night for the first time in this
country. The play had been produced at
the London theatres with wonderful sue
cess during last season. There is much of
the spectacular in the arrangement of the
scenes, and the mechanical effects are very
fine. Among the features are hunting
scene with six horses and full pack of
hounds on the stage, and race in which the
horses take five feet high hurdles at full
speed in view of the audience. The piece
was received with favor
THE BosToNIANs IN IDEAL ENGLISH
OPERA.
The Barnabee- Karl Macdonald combina-
tion of the old Boston Ideal Opera Company
has completed its organization for the COM
ing season, having chosen as its title "The
Bostonians in Ideal English Opera" name
suggested by Henry Watterson, the editor of
the Louisville Courier-Journal. The artists
are Miss Marie Stone, Miss Mena Cleary,
who has played minor roles in the Ideals for
some time, Messrs. Barnabee, Karl, Mac
Donald, George rockingham and J. A.
Montgomery, the latter formerly an inter-
prefer of minor roles. Miss Agnes Hunting
Ton will be leading eontralto. The new
members are Miss Camille Muroi, native
of Memphis, Tenn, though of foreign pa
rentage, who is well known as young choir
singer in Chicago, and Miss Juiiette Gordon,
both leading sopranos; Miss Lottie Cruik-
shank, second contralto; Sig. Ricardo Ricci,
a grand opera basso profundo, who has had
an extended career abroad; William A.
xanter of Iowa, tenor robusto, and Frank
Miller, second tenor. Samuel L. Studley
the musical director of the Ideals, stays with
1.-The Bostonians" The repertoire win in
French work hitherto unheard of in this
country, '.Fanchonette," Halevy's "The
Conscript," "The Musketeers," martha"
Bohemian GRIP and Fra Diavolo." The
Bostonians will appear in the Steckbridge
course.